OnPay vs Xero: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of OnPay and Xero — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: OnPay wins on our scorecard (8.1/10 vs 7.1/10).
| Scored on | OnPay | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 7 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 7 |
| Customer support | 7 | 5 |
| Features | 8 | 8 |
| Base Fee | $40/month | — |
| Per Person Fee | $6/month | — |
| Setup Fee | $0 | — |
| Early Plan | — | $15/month (est.) |
| Growing Plan | — | $42/month (est.) |
| Established Plan | — | $78/month (est.) |
| Standard User Limit | — | Unlimited |
OnPay in one paragraph
OnPay is the best value-for-money payroll provider for small businesses that want flat-rate pricing without the 'tier' games.
Skip it if: Skip it if you require a dedicated native mobile app for your employees or need 24/7 phone support.
Xero in one paragraph
Xero is a robust, cloud-native accounting powerhouse best suited for owners who want unlimited users and collaborative access for their accountant.
Skip it if: Skip it if you require immediate phone support or have complex, multi-location physical inventory needs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, OnPay or Xero?
On our five-axis scorecard, OnPay scores higher (8.1/10 vs 7.1/10). OnPay is the best value-for-money payroll provider for small businesses that want flat-rate pricing without the 'tier' games.
Who should skip OnPay?
Skip it if you require a dedicated native mobile app for your employees or need 24/7 phone support.
Who should skip Xero?
Skip it if you require immediate phone support or have complex, multi-location physical inventory needs.